SUBGENUS Empusella Luer 1986

The subgenus is characterized by narrowly obovate, coriaceous leaves that gradually taper into a petiolate base and is much longer than the abbreviated ramicaul. A ramemose inflorescence arises from an annulus below the abscission layer. The peduncle and floral bracts are laterally compressed and the inflorescence gradually lengthens over time as the large fleshy, rigid flowers successively arise. The essentialy free sepals are markedly verrucose within and vary in color from green to orange to red-purple. The petals are oblong, minutely verrucose and arise from the sides of the broad column foot. The winged column is denticulate and the ventral anther is hooded and have 2 pyriform pollina.

1. Pleurothallis daviesii [Archila, Jiménez Rodr. & Véliz] in.ed. Guatemala

2. Pleurothallis deuterodunstervillei [Karremans & Bogarin] in ed. Costa Rica, Colombia and Venezuela

3. Pleurothallis deuteroremotiflora [Pupulin & Karremans] in ed. Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia

4. Pleurothallis endotrachys Rchb.f 1876 Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela

5. Pleurothallis fulgens Rchb.f. 1875 Costa Rica and Panama

6. Pleurothallis guanacastensis Ames & C. Schweinf. 1930 Nicaragua and Costa Rica

7. Pleurothallis juddii [Archilla] in ed. Guatemala

8. Pleurothallis montezumae Luer 1996 Costa Rica

9. Pleurothallis pfavii Rchb.f. 1886 Costa Rica and Panama

10. Pleurothallis spectabilis Ames & Scheinf. 1925 Oaxaca and Chiapas states of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama